DE102018208487A1 - PLAYLIST ERROR DAYS FOR PROVIDING AND RENDERING STRAIGHT MEDIA - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure describes techniques for providing and rendering streamed media using error tags in a corresponding media playlist. The playlist may represent an organization of the media element by providing information from encoded media segments that make up the media element. When segments of encoded media are received for a media item, a determination can be made as to whether the encoded media segments contain errors. If an encoded media segment is found that does not contain an error, a playlist entry representing the encoded media segment may be added to the playlist. If an encoded media segment contains an error, a playlist entry may be added to represent that encoded media segment. This playlist entry can indicate the segment error. The playlist may be stored for access by a playback device.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to techniques for managing access to media streamed through a computer network.

Video content, audio content, or both together are regularly provided to various viewing devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, as streamed media. These media contents typically undergo several processing and transfer steps before finally being provided to the viewing device. For example, media content may begin as raw data from media sources. The raw data from media sources can then be transferred to an encoder where the media source data is encoded as a sequence of segments. The encoded segments may then be sent to a distribution server which stores the encoded segments and generates corresponding playlists. The playlists may be provided to a viewer to enable the viewer to download and sequentially render the encoded segments.

However, various errors or defects may occur in the media contents as they undergo the operations and transmissions described above. For example, a media feed of the media source data to the encoder may be interrupted. In other cases there may be an error in the coding process leading to a damaged segment. Such errors can affect the viewing experience of the media content. This may in particular be the case when an audio stream and a video stream are presented synchronously with each other. Errors in one of the streams can cause desynchronization with the other stream.

Accordingly, the inventors recognize a need in the art for improved media streaming techniques that adapt to errors in a media stream.

list of figures

• 1 ist eine Darstellung eines Beispielsystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 2 ist Flussdiagramm eines Beispielverfahrens gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 3 ist eine Darstellung eines Beispielsystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.
• 4 ist eine Darstellung eines Beispielrechensystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

The foregoing and other aspects of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals are used to identify functionally similar elements.

• 1 FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
• 2 FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
• 3 FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.
• 4 FIG. 10 is an illustration of a sample computing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for providing and rendering media elements using error tags in a playlist file. The playlist may represent an organization of the media element by providing information from encoded media segments that make up the media element. When segments of encoded media are received for a media item, a determination can be made as to whether the encoded media segments contain errors. If an encoded media segment is found that does not contain an error, a playlist entry representing the encoded media segment may be added to the playlist. If a coded media segment contains an error, a playlist entry representing that coded media segment may be added to the playlist. This playlist entry can indicate the segment error. The playlist may be stored on a distribution server for access by a playback device.

1 FIG. 10 is a simplified functional block diagram of an example streaming system. FIG 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 can be a coding server 120 , a distribution server 130 and a terminal device 110 Include in communication through a network 140 to be provided. The encoding server 120 may be an input media element for provision to a terminal device 110 encode. The distribution server 130 the distribution of the coded media element to the terminal device or terminal devices 110 manage. The terminal device 110 can download and render elements of the asset.

The encoding server 120 can media source data via a media feed 160 receive. The media source data may include video source data and / or audio source data. The encoding server 120 can be one or more encoders 122 to encode the media source data and the distribution server 130 one or more encoded media streams 162 provide. Typically, the media encoding is performed according to a predetermined encoding protocol and achieves bandwidth compression as compared to the source media data. For example, video may be encoded according to an ITU-T standard such as H.265 (commonly "HEVC"), H.264 ("AVC"), or another standardized encoding protocol. Encoded video data may be from the encoding server 120 as a plurality of separate units, so-called "segments", packaged for transmission to terminal devices 110 be issued.

The distribution server 130 may be providing the through the encoding server 120 Manage encoded media elements. The distribution server 130 can encode media segments of each media element in a local hard drive 132 to save. The distribution server 130 can also playlists files 134 (also known as manifest files) that contain information about each media item that is passed through a terminal device 110 can be downloaded.

In many cases, a single piece of media (such as a video program) will go through a distribution server 130 stored in several representations, so-called "streams". In the example of 1 a single media element formed by streams STR1 through STRK is shown. Some of the streams may represent variants of shared media content. For example, a single media element may have multiple streams with different representations of video content of the element; the streams may vary, for example, depending on the bit rate, video encoding format / standard or resolution. In addition, a single media element may have multiple audio streams that vary, for example, depending on the bitrate, audio encoding format / standard, or language. Each stream may have a respective plurality of segments, ie segment 1 to segment n. Even though 1 illustrates each stream with an identical number n of segments, in practice different streams may (and indeed do) have a different number of segments.

The distribution server 130 may also include a playlist file 134 for each through the distribution server 130 Save saved media item. The playlist file 134 may contain data describing a media item and the segments that are part of the media item. The playlist file 134 may include a respective segment identifier and a URL (ie, a network location) at which access to and download of the segment is possible. By way of illustration, an example playlist file may be provided 134 Segment data entries 135.1 to 135.n which describe the respective segments of one of the streams STR1 to STRK. Although in 1 not illustrated, the playlist file may be 134 Entries for all segments of all streams that make up the media element.

In one embodiment, the playlist file may be 134 and an error tag for identifying a segment that may have an error. Example error tags 136.2 and 136.n for respective segment data entries 135.2 and 135.n are in 1 shown; the playlist file 134 may similarly include corresponding error tags for other segments having errors. The data of the error tag, if applicable, may indicate a defect in a segment. In one embodiment, error tags do not have to be provided for segments that have no errors. However, in another embodiment, error tags may be for each segment in a playlist file 134 and may contain data indicating an error condition of the respective segment (eg, "error" or "no error"). As will be further discussed herein, the terminal device 110 Rendering and rendering operations based at least in part on the error tag in the playlist file 134 for any given coded segment.

Error tags can be set in response to a variety of operating conditions. For example, there may be a break in the media feed 160 that sends the media source data to the encoding server 120 provides, occur. Thus, the coding server 120 may not be able to provide a coded segment or segments that match the missing media source data. Furthermore, a segment error may occur if an error or other failure occurs in one or more of the encoders 122 on the coding server 120 is present. For example, an encoder 122 crash or otherwise become unavailable. In this case, the segments to which this encoder 122 for coding, similarly in the encoded media stream 162 that is the distribution server 130 is provided missing. As yet another example, media source data may be from the media feed 160 through the coding server 120 however, an error in the encoding process may render the resulting segment for rendering and reproduction by the terminal device 110 to make something useless.

Downloading and rendering media items may be as a client-driven Operation be performed. For example, a terminal device starts 110 Media rendering by requesting a playlist file 134 for a desired media item that is sent by the distribution server 130 provided. The terminal device 110 can select which of the streams STR1 to STRK the terminal device 110 will render. During a single playback session, it is possible for the terminal device 110 their selection of streams to be rendered changes. For example, operating conditions at the terminal device 110 Such as loss of network bandwidth or resource conflicts, cause the terminal device 110 Select lower bandwidth or lower complexity video streams than originally selected. In another application, an operator may change the audio presentation to be used (turn on or off audio commentary tracks) or may enable / disable other streams (eg, subtitles). The terminal device 110 can be made by using the playlist file 134 Network addresses identified may issue requests for segments of selected streams and may render them when the segments are received.

In case of error tags 136 can be a terminal device 110 make their decisions about which segments to request after checking such tags. For example, if an error is indicated for a coded segment of video in a stream, a terminal device may 110 determine whether to switch to a corresponding segment of another stream. The definition of the terminal device 110 may be in conjunction with other operating conditions, such as network bandwidth, available resources, and the like. It may happen that a terminal device 110 determines that it is appropriate to switch to another stream, in which case the terminal device can "bypass" the faulty segment by requesting, receiving, and rendering segments of another stream having no error. In another case, the terminal device 110 specify that it can not switch to another power, in which case the terminal device 110 Either request the segments that have errors or perform another activity (for example, perform error concealment).

The media streams (eg, stream STR1 and stream STR2), that of the terminal device 110 may include related content, and the rendering and / or playback of the media streams may be at the terminal device 110 be synchronized. For example, one media stream may include one video media stream and the other media stream may include an audio media stream with audio content that should be synchronized with the video content of the video media stream, as is commonly the case with many television programs, movies, sports event presentations, and the like. The link between a video media stream and an audio media stream need not be on a one-to-one basis. Rather, a set of video media streams may be associated with a set of audio media streams. For example, a movie may be presented in any of a variety of bit rates or resolutions, while a linked audio track may be in English, Spanish or French.

The terminal device 110 can media playback devices 112 represent the media packages from the distribution server 130 download, decode the encoded media resources and render them for replay. For example, the terminal device 110 in the form of a mobile device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer or a laptop. As another example, the terminal device 110 to be a desktop computer. As yet another example, the terminal device 110 a set-top cable box, a digital media player, a game console or the like.

The network 140 , via which the various components described herein may communicate, may comprise a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, or a combination thereof. Examples of a wireless network may include a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network. Examples of a wired network may include a coaxial cable network, a fiber optic network, or an Ethernet network. The special shape and the special attributes of the network 140 are not material to the present disclosure unless otherwise stated.

2 illustrates a method 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The procedure 200 can determine if one or more errors exist in the encoded media stream (field 206 ). If one or more errors in the encoded media stream are present, the procedure can 200 create or modify a playlist of data indicating the error (s) with respect to a segment (s) in the encoded media stream (field 208 ). The playlist of data indicating the error (s) may be transmitted to a terminal device for use in rendering and in rendering the encoded media stream (box 210 ) (subject to modification (s) required due to the error (s) in the encoded media stream). If there are no errors in the encoded media stream, the method may 200 create a playlist in the normal way (ie without data indicating errors) (field 212 ) and transmit this playlist to the terminal device for use in rendering and in rendering the encoded media stream (field 214 ). The terminal device may perform such rendering and reproduction according to the playlist and error data (not shown) therein.

It is expected that the operation of the procedure 200 offers several benefits in networked media delivery systems. One advantage is that it can minimize the effects of disrupting a media feed and / or coding errors in this media feed. By providing data indicative of an error in one or more encoded segments, a terminal device may be enabled to mitigate the effects of these errors in a viewing experience. For example, if an error is specified for a segment or a number of segments, the terminal device may replace these segments with alternative segments. The alternative segments may include analog segments with different attributes, such as bit rate, but common content over the replaced segment. This may allow the presentation of the program to continue despite the error rather than the presentation of empty content or a presentation error.

In particular, in the event that live video content and real-time provisioning are included, another advantage is seen in the fact that the distribution server 130 can incorporate the faulty segments into a playlist using common processing techniques. The procedure 200 does not require exception control, for example, to estimate when lost segments reappear. Furthermore, the user of error tags uses the existing client-driven selection of streams.

Yet another advantage realized by the present disclosure is a reduction in the resource usage of the various components involved. For example, the terminal device may dispense with repeated attempts to download a segment or sequence of segments, thus reducing the load on the distribution server and network bandwidth usage.

The determination of whether an error or errors exist in the encoded media stream may be made according to a variety of techniques. As an example, the segments of the encoded media stream may contain data that indicates such error, or otherwise be associated with it. This error can be detected, for example, by the distribution server, and the playlist reflecting this error can be generated accordingly. As another example, the distribution server may analyze the segments of encoded media stream and determine whether the segment has a defect or, in some cases, whether the segment in the encoded media stream is missing altogether. For example, the distribution server can determine if the segment is corrupt or contains null content.

The one or more errors in the encoded media stream may result from a number of operating scenarios. For example, such an error may be caused by an error in the encoding process itself, such as a disturbance in the encoder. This can lead to damaged segments in the encoded media stream. Likewise, an encoder on the encoder server (or the encoder server itself) may crash or otherwise become inoperable, resulting in an encoder break for that particular media stream during recovery of the encoder after the crash. Thus, there may be a gap in the encoded media stream. As another example, an error or other disturbance in the upstream media feed may result in errors in the encoded media stream. For example, a camera recording a live program may temporarily go down or an upstream network connection may be interrupted. Thus, the encoder may not be able to generate corresponding segments in the encoded media stream. This can also cause a gap in the encoded media stream. A gap in the encoded media stream may relate to the absence of a coded segment, zero content in the encoded segment, or corruption in the encoded segment.

As stated, upon detection of one or more errors in the encoded media stream, a playlist may be generated with data indicating this or these errors, that is, error data. The playlist can be generated, for example, by a distribution server. The error data may correspond to one or more respective segments of the encoded media stream. Accordingly, the error data in the encoded media stream may be in the form of an error tag in the playlist entry for the affected segment. An example error tag 136 is in 1 shown.

In some embodiments, the error data may merely indicate that there is a defect in the corresponding segment. In In this sense, the error data may assume a binary value indicating whether the segment is usable or not. In other embodiments, the error data may include other additional information. The additional information may be included in the error tag in the playlist, or the playlist entry may include an additional tag for the supplemental information. For example, the additional information may include an alternative network storage location (eg, a URL) from which the terminal device may receive alternative media segments. The terminal device can render and render this alternative segment instead of trying to render and play the specified segment with an error. In some cases, consecutive encoded segments may contain error data. Thus, as another example, the additional information may include a time element that reflects the number (or the estimate thereof) of successive segments having errors or the total period affected by the errors (or the estimate thereof).

After the playlist is created, it is provided to the terminal device for use in rendering and rendering the encoded media stream. The terminal device may detect the error data in the playlist and change the rendering and playback of the media stream accordingly.

In one example, if the terminal device detects error data for a particular segment, the terminal device may instead download and use another alternative segment related to the error segment in relation to the content. For example, the alternative segment may present common content with the error segment, but may have one or more different attributes, such as a different bit rate, a different resolution (for video segments), a different encoding format, or a different language (for audio segments). Thus, if one error segment has a resolution of 1080p, the other related segment used instead may have a resolution of 480p.

In another example, if the playlist entry for a particular segment indicates an error in the segment, the terminal device may not attempt to download that segment from the distribution server. If the segment is only one of several consecutive segments with errors, the error data for that segment may indicate the number of subsequent segments that also have errors. Similarly, the terminal device may not attempt to download these successive segments until it reaches a segment that is indicated (or estimated) to be healthy. By not attempting to download these segments with errors, the load on the distribution server and network bandwidth can be reduced.

In another example of how a terminal device can adjust the rendering and playback according to the playlist with error data, the terminal device may display a local alternative segment instead of the segment with errors. The local alternative segment may in some cases be referred to as a "slate" content. For example, the local alternative segment may include a "technical problem occurred" message or the like. This response to the error data may be particularly suitable when the terminal device or its playback device utilizes rendering and rendering technology that is not as novel as or different from its more modern counterparts.

Further, if the error data indicates a number (or estimate) of consecutive segments with errors, the terminal device may only need to access the local alternative segment once during the rendering of these successive segments. In some embodiments, the alternative segment, including slate content, may be downloaded from an external source, such as the distribution server, rather than first stored locally on the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device may also benefit from the data indicating the number of consecutive segments with errors, since it is possible for the terminal device to download the alternative segment only once and then use this local alternative segment to communicate the subsequent segments To replace errors.

In another embodiment, a distribution server 130 replace a faulty segment with an alternative content segment. For example, the distribution server 130 create a segment of the duration of the faulty segment containing slate content or other alternative content. If a distribution server 130 Detects a segment in one of a coding server 120 If the supplied data feed is missing, the distribution server may 130 similarly recreating a segment with alternative content of slate content, null content, or other alternative content. In one embodiment, the distribution server 130 various instances of slate content encoded according to common encoding protocols and commonly used devices store and may include an alternative segment, for example, as an intra-coded frame of such content, followed by a Create a sufficient number of SKIP-encoded frames to create a segment of sufficient duration to replace a missing segment.

In practice, the procedure can 200 Receive media source data from a media feed (Field 202 ). This media source data may then be encoded as a coded media stream comprising a plurality of encoded media segments (field 204 ). The procedure 200 can then use field 206 continue as described above, wherein the method 200 determine whether one or more errors exist in the encoded media stream.

The in field 202 referenced media source data may be received from a encoding server via a media feed and then encoded by the encoding server to generate the encoded media stream comprising the plurality of media segments. Often, the media feed may include a number of related media source data feeds. For example, multiple instances of media source data may contain common video content displayed at various bitrates or video resolutions. Similarly, multiple instances of media source data may include common audio content presented in several different languages. There may also be a relationship between an audio media feed and a video media feed such that the two are for synchronized presentation.

As stated, the media source data may be video source data or audio source data. Likewise, the encoded media stream may be a coded video stream or an encoded audio stream. The encoded media stream may be generated according to any known encoding standard, in particular H.264 or H.265 for video source data and AAC, MP3 or AC-3 for audio source data. The encoded media stream may then be provided to the distribution server, for example, to determine if the encoded media stream contains one or more errors, as well as the further steps of the method 200 perform.

3 illustrates a sample application scenario of one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 300 can be a media source 310 , an encoder 320 and a distribution server 330 lock in. A first stream 340 from first media content and a second stream 342 second media content will be through the media feed 350 from the media source 310 to the encoder 320 Posted. From there, the first and the second stream 340 . 342 through the encoder 320 coded into coded segments and over the coded streams 352 to the distribution server 330 Posted. The coded segments of the first and second streams 340 . 342 can at the distribution server 330 be analyzed to determine if there are errors in the encoded segments. According to this determination, the distribution server 330 organize the encoded segments into playlists, indicating segments with errors in the playlists. The coded segments, if possible, are provided for streaming to a terminal device (not shown) for rendering and playback.

The first and the second stream 340 . 342 represent instances of media content when sequenced between the components of the system according to the methods and techniques of the present disclosure 300 be transferred and processed by it. The first and the second stream 340 . 342 can together constitute an audiovisual program (or part of it). The first and the second stream 340 . 342 may be synchronized when played back on a terminal device. Thus, the first stream 340 the audio component of the program and the second stream 342 can be the video component of the program.

First, the first and the second stream come from 340 . 342 the media source 310 and are in the form of media source data. Thus, the first stream 340 at the media source 310 through the media source data 312 educated. The second stream 342 will be at the media source 310 through the media source data 314 educated.

Thereafter, the media source data 312 . 314 via the media feed 350 from the media source 310 to the encoder 320 be sent. The encoder 320 can the media source data 312 . 314 encode as encoded segments. Here you can see the media source data 312 that the first stream 340 represent, as coded segments 322.1 . 322.2 . 322.3 and so on. In the same way, the media source data 314 as coded segments 324.1 . 324.2 . 324.3 and so on. However, in this exemplary application, an error occurs with respect to the encoded segments 324.3 and 324.4 on. This error can be the result of a coding error, an interruption of the media feed of the media source data 314 or any other cause discussed herein. The error can damage the encoded segments 324.3 . 324.4 , the absence of the coded segments 324.3 . 324.4 or zero content in the coded segments 324.3 . 324.4 mean, to give a few examples.

The first and the second stream 340 . 342 and encoded segments thereof may be over the encoded streams 352 to the distribution server 330 Posted where they are encoded as segments 332.1 . 332.2 etc. and as coded segments 334.1 . 334.2 etc. are stored. The distribution server 330 can parse the encoded segments to detect errors in the encoded segments. In this case, the distribution server can 330 the coded segments 334.3 and 334.4 identify as faulty. Accordingly, the playlist file 336 that from the distribution server 330 for the second stream 342 is generated, specify these errors. In particular, the error tag will be included in the respective entries in the playlist file 336 for the coded segments 334.3 and 334.4 Data to indicate the error. There is no error regarding the coded segments 334.1 . 334.2 . 334.5 and 334.6 is identified, the error tags in the respective entries of the playlist file indicate that there is no error for these encoded segments. There are no errors in the coded segments of the first stream 340 to discover the error tags in a similar way in the playlist file 335 assume that these coded segments are error free.

At the request of a terminal device, the playlist files may 335 . 336 be transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device can render and playback the streams 340 . 342 based on the error information in the playlist file 336 for the segments 334.3 and 334.4 carry out. For example, the terminal device may select and download alternative segments to the segments 334.3 and 334.4 to replace during playback. The various techniques with which the terminal device can address segment errors are described in greater detail herein.

There are no errors in the error tags of the playlist file 335 for the first stream 340 can be given, the terminal device can render and play these segments in the normal way. If the first and the second stream 340 . 342 synchronously (remembering that the first and second currents 340 . 342 can represent complementary audio and video content), the playback of the second stream 342 while the terminal device makes appropriate segment adjustments to the errors in the segments of the second stream 342 to address. Since the reproduction of the second stream 342 instead of postponing playback until an error-free segment is available, this can be the synchronized playback of the first and second streams 340 . 342 maintained.

The techniques described herein may be performed by a central processor of one or more computer systems. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer system 400 who can perform such techniques. For example, the encoding server 120 , the distribution server 130 and the terminal of 1 in the form of the computer system 400 be realized. The computer system 400 can be a central processor 410 and a memory 420 lock in. The central processor 410 can be different in the store 420 read and execute stored program instructions that are an operating system 412 of the system 400 and different applications 414.1 to 414.N determine. For example, one of the applications 414.1 to 414.N the encoder 122 , an application of the distribution server 130 used to identify encoded segments with errors and / or the playback device 112 from 1 include. The program instructions may cause the processor to perform the various media segment management techniques to perform rendering of those segments as described herein.

As stated, the memory may 420 Program commands that save the processor when executed 410 induce the techniques described above. The memory 420 can store the program instructions on electrically, magnetically and / or optically based storage media. The memory may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. As another example application of the memory 420 can the memory 420 the read-only memory 132 from 1 realize. Thus, the memory can 420 be configured to store coded segments and corresponding playlist files.

The system 400 may have other components that may match the function of the system as a media source, media player, or both. The system 400 can be an encoder 440 for performing video coding on one or more media segments and a transmission device 450 (shown as TX) for transferring data from the system 400 out have. The encoder 440 can be considered a hardware device (e.g., one from the central processor 410 separate processing circuit) or may be in software as an application 414.1 be provided.

In a function as a media player, the system 400 a receiving device 450 (shown as RX), a decoder 480 , an ad 460 and user interface elements 470 exhibit. The receiving device 450 can receive data and the decoder 480 can decode the data. For example, the terminal device 110 from 1 encoded media segments from the distribution server 130 from 1 receive and decode these encoded media segments for playback. The ad 460 may be a display device on which decoded media segments can be rendered. The user interface module 470 may include component devices (such as motion sensors, touch screen inputs, keyboard inputs, remote control inputs, and / or controller inputs) through the operators data into the system 400 enter.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are specifically illustrated and described herein. It should be understood, however, that modifications and variations of the present disclosure are covered by the above teachings and are within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the disclosure.

Claims (31)

Method, comprising: responsive to received segments of encoded media and a playlist describing a media element to which the encoded media belongs, determining which encoded media segments contain errors; for a first encoded media segment containing no error, adding a first entry to the playlist, the first entry representing the first encoded media segment; for a second encoded media segment containing an error, adding a second entry to the playlist, the second entry representing the second encoded media segment, and wherein the second entry indicates the segment error, and Save the playlist for access by a playback device. Method according to Claim 1 , where the second entry includes a tag indicating the segment error. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the first entry in the playlist indicates that the first encoded media segment contains no error. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the error of the second coded media segment is caused by null content in the second coded media segment. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the error of the second encoded media segment is caused by damage in the second encoded media segment. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the second encoded media segment is an expected media segment and the error indicates the absence of the expected second encoded media segment. Method according to Claim 1 wherein the second entry in the playlist comprises a network address of an alternative segment to the second encoded media segment. Method, comprising: Determining if a coded media stream contains a segment error; if the encoded media stream contains a segment error, modifying a playlist for the encoded media stream to include data indicating the segment error, and Transmitting the modified playlist to a terminal device for rendering at least a portion of the encoded media stream based on the data indicating the segment error. Method according to Claim 8 wherein the segment error corresponds to a segment of the encoded media stream. Method according to Claim 9 wherein the data indicating the segment error is displayed in an error tag in a playlist entry for the segment. Method according to Claim 8 , where the segment error is caused by a coding error. Method according to Claim 8 , wherein the segment error is caused by a malfunction of an encoder for the encoded media stream. Method according to Claim 8 wherein the segment error is caused by the absence of media source data from which the encoded media stream is derived. Method according to Claim 8 and further comprising: if the encoded media stream does not contain a segment error, modifying the playlist to include data indicating that the segments of the encoded media stream are error free. Method according to Claim 8 wherein the data indicating the segment error further indicates a network location of a second segment for use as an alternative to a segment corresponding to the segment error. Method according to Claim 15 wherein the second segment represents a common content with that of the segment corresponding to the segment error. Method according to Claim 16 wherein the second segment has at least one attribute different from that of the segment corresponding to the segment error, wherein the at least one attribute comprises at least one of a coding format, a bit rate, a resolution, and a language. Method according to Claim 8 wherein the segment error corresponds to a plurality of consecutive segments in the encoded media stream. Method according to Claim 18 wherein the data indicating the segment error further indicates a total duration based on the respective duration of the plurality of consecutive segments. Method according to Claim 8 where the encoded media stream is a coded audio stream. Method according to Claim 8 wherein the encoded media stream is a coded video stream. Method, comprising: Receiving a playlist for a media item, the playlist identifying segments of encoded media organized according to different streams; Selecting a stream to be played; Determining whether encoded media segments of the selected stream have tags associated with them that identify an error; for a first encoded media segment that is not identified as having an error, initiating retrieval of the first encoded media segment using information specified in the playlist; for a second encoded media segment identified as having an error, determining whether to switch to a coded correspondence media segment from another stream, and if the determination is to switch, initiating retrieval of the coded match media segment using information specified in the playlist. Method according to Claim 22 wherein the information specified in the playlist comprises a network address. Method according to Claim 22 wherein, if the determination is not to change, the retrieval of the second encoded media segment is initiated using information specified in the playlist. Method according to Claim 24 wherein retrieval of the second encoded media segment results in an error. Method according to Claim 22 wherein, if the determination is not to switch, alternative content of the second encoded media segment is rendered on a playback device. Method according to Claim 26 wherein the alternative content is stored locally on the playback device. Method according to Claim 22 wherein if the determination is to not switch, rendering content corresponding to the selected stream is interrupted for a duration equal to a duration of the second encoded media segment. Method according to Claim 22 wherein the coded match media segment has at least one attribute different from that of the second encoded media segment, the at least one attribute comprising at least one of a coding format, a bit rate, a resolution, and a language. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform operations that include: Receiving a playlist for a media item, the playlist identifying segments of encoded media organized according to different streams; Selecting a stream to be played; Determining whether encoded media segments of the selected stream have tags associated with them that identify an error; for a first encoded media segment that is not identified as having an error, initiating retrieval of the first encoded media segment using information specified in the playlist; for a second encoded media segment identified as having an error, determining whether to switch to a encoded equivalent media segment from another stream; and if the determination is to switch, initiating the fetch of the coded match media segment using information specified in the playlist. Computing device comprising: a processor; a memory that mutually communicates with the processor and stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform operations that include: Receiving a playlist for a media item, the playlist identifying segments of encoded media organized according to different streams; Selecting a stream to be played; Determining whether encoded media segments of the selected stream have tags associated with them that identify an error; for a first encoded media segment that is not identified as having an error, initiating retrieval of the first encoded media segment using information specified in the playlist; for a second encoded media segment identified as having an error, determining whether to switch to a encoded equivalent media segment from another stream; and if the determination is to switch, initiating retrieval of the coded match media segment using information specified in the playlist.

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